Abstract: A disposable diagnostic unit is provided which employs a housing which provides for a sample port, and a channel which feeds the sample to an incubation area by means of capillary action. The incubation area is underneath an optically-clear window and comprises a lipid membrane which has optical properties, particularly fluorescent properties and usually a reagent. A reservoir at the end of the channel downstream from the incubation area receives the sample and waste washes, while on one side of the platform area is a reagent reservoir and on the other side a side waste reservoir, so that one can move the reagent from the reagent reservoir through the platform area into the waste reservoir. Various reagents may be contained within the unit and the necessary liquids added automatically by appropriate instrumentation, so as to have the assay carried out automatically, without technician involvement, providing an accurate and sensitive determination.

Abstract: A method for the continuous and reversible determination of the concentration of an enzyme substrate such as glucose in an specimen, wherein the specimen is brought into contact with a corresponding enzyme selected from oxidases and oxygenases and to which a flavin coenzyme (FMN, FAD) is bonded, the flavin coenzyme changing to a reduced form by the enzyme substrate and to an oxidized form by molecular oxygen dissolved in the specimen, and the change in the fluorescence spectrum, produced by means of the reduction of the flavin coenzyme, is measured.

Abstract: The precision of identification of analyte composition in a sample, where the possible analytes cross-react with specific binding reagents, is enhanced by applying pattern recognition techniques. Samples to be tested are reacted with a panel of specific binding reagents reactive with the set of analytes to be tested to obtain a pattern of reactivity with respect to each analyte at a given concentration. This results in a databank of "CRIM profiles" for known concentrations of each analyte. This databank is stored in a computationally accessible form, which then can be matched against CRIM patterns obtained by testing unknown samples. In one embodiment, each CRIM pattern obtained is plotted as a single point in n-dimensional space, wherein n represents the number of specific binding reagents in the panel.

Abstract: There is provided an assay method for a Chlamydia trachomatis antibody with almost no cross reaction with a C. pneumoniae antibody or a C. psittaci antibody associated using an antigen containing at least two polypeptides which constitute C. trachomatis outer membranes.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount of free ligand in a test ample where the ligand is also present bound to one or more endogenous receptors, comprising combining the test sample, ligand receptor and unlabelled, differential binding ligand analogue, incubating to permit the free ligand and unlabelled, differential binding ligand analogue to compete for the ligand receptor separating the ligand analogue, determining the amount of ligand receptor bound to the ligand or to the ligand analogue, and correlating the amount of bound ligand receptor to the amount of free ligand present in the test sample.

Abstract: By cloning the gene for particular keratin proteins, it has been possible to determine amino acid sequences of specific keratins. This has made possible selection of sequences which are unique to a given keratin. The production of antibodies that respond to selected sequences provides means of selectively identifying specific keratins. These diagnostic tools provide means of identifying cell source of malignancies.

Abstract: A mutant erythropoietin receptor of mammalian origin which is hypersensitive to erythropoietin, DNA encoding the mutant erythropoietin receptor and uses therefor. An assay method for identifying compounds which mimic erythropoietin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for immunoassay for a ligand is performed on a porous membrane with alkaline phosphatase as the label. The assay protocol includes a wash step with an organic acid to deactivate endogenous alkaline phosphatase. The invention includes a kit of materials for performing the assay.

Abstract: Methods for identifying or screening or characterizing or assaying or isolating known or candidate agonists and antagonists of amylin, comprising binding assays utilizing preparations containing specific receptors for amylin. Membranes from the brain that contain high density receptors for amylin are particularly useful for the methods of this invention, and as a source of amylin receptors.

Abstract: Novel hybridoma cell lines and monoclonal antibodies are provided which can differentiate between HIV-1, HIV-2 and SIV retrovirus isolates. A synthetic peptide which is useful as a universal diagnostic reagent for detecting retroviral infection is also described.

Abstract: Assays are provided for detecting the existence of active rheumatoid arthritis by detecting rheumatoid factor as a blood component which cross-links human IgG with sheep IgG. Particularly, an enzyme labelled assay is provided using biotin-avidin to link the enzyme to the immunoglobulin. The binding peptide of the rheumatoid factor is also provided.

Abstract: An allergenic protein has been identified from the storage mite Lepidoglyphus destructor. A partial amino terminal sequence of the 18 kilodalton protein is presented. Based on this sequence, isolation and cloning of the gene for the allergen becomes possible.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the aggregation of cells in, for example, an immuno-agglutination assay, comprises promoting agglutination sonically in a capillary and inverting the capillary to cause agglutinated particles to settle at a meniscus. The granular appearance of agglutinated cells can be distinguished visually from the smooth distribution of non-aggregated cells.

Abstract: Receptors, characterized by the fact that they consist of the product obtained by affinity chromatography on a column coupled with 3 G8 antibodies or lectins or polyclonal anti-receptor FcR antibodies of a biological fluid of human origin, then by gel permeation. The spectrum of said product, electrophoresis acrylamide gel in reducing condition, comprising a major band corresponding to a molecular mass of between 72000 and 76000 daltons, and a number of minor bands. According to its purified form, the receptor consists of a glycoprotein with a molecular mass of between 72000 and 76000 daltons, recognized by ELISA and Western Blotting by the monoclonal anti-Leu 11b antibody. Application of said receptors to diagnosis and to follow-up treatment of diseases involving Fc receptors (infectious diseases, diseases of the autoimmune system, rejection of transplants, cancer and myeloma and AIDS), as well as to the study of human polymorphisms.

Abstract: The present invention discloses, a bispecific monoclonal antibody to an ansamitocin derivative and a target antigen, particularly tumor-associated antigen, which can carry an ansamitocin derivative in a stable and inactive form at other sites than the target and release the active-form ansamitocin derivative at the target site, so that an anticancer agent having excellent durability and selectivity with little adverse action can be prepared using the bispecific monoclonal antibody and ansamitocin derivatives.

Abstract: A swift, accurate assay for the detection of salmonella contamination in a livestock environments, comprises sampling the floor of the livestock holding area with drag swabs for about 10 or more minutes, after which said swabs are maintained in a static condition, at reduced temperature, in the presence of double strength skim milk, until ready for testing. The swabs are transferred to a salmonella-preferential growth medium, such as tetrathionate broth and subsequently assayed. To reduce non-salmonella "look alike" or masking bacterial colonies, Novobiocin may be administered to the culture media.

Abstract: There is provided a simple method to identify cation channels expressed in cultured cells and to screen chemical agents for their use as agonists or antagonists to such channels. In addition, the invention assay method also provides rapid means to identify cultured cell lines which express functional ion channels. The invention assay method can readily be adapted for the low cost, automated screening of potential drug materials.

Abstract: An improved plating media incorporates TERGITOL.RTM.4, an alkyl sodium sulfate biological detergent, in a Xylose-lysine agar base. The plating media may also include peptone and sulfapyridine to further inhibit Citrobacter growth. The media is highly preferential for Salmonella, giving a greater number of Salmonella positives, and reduced competitive organisms. When incorporated with drag swab methodology employing skim milk or evaporated milk as a holding media, which may advantageously include novobiocin to suppress unwanted bacterial growth, coupled with a tetrathionate-culturing broth or other selective enrichment broth, the plating media completes a highly sensitive assay for the detection of Salmonella, particularly keyed for poultry and livestock handling structures, and for veterinary and human clinical laboratory applications.

Abstract: Biosensors for qualitative and quantitative analysis comprise an amphipathic liquid crystalline membrane composed of a lipid bilayer attached to a recording electrode via bridging anchoring molecules. The lipid bilayer is doped with biologic or synthetic ion channels and is in continuous contact with a bulk aqueous medium on both its surfaces. The bridging anchoring molecules may contain a phospholipid moiety linked to a polyoxylakylene chain terminated with a thiol or thioether residue.

Abstract: The performance of double receptor, specific binding assays is improved by use of a receptor complex having the structureA.sub.BL (BL).sub.n A.sub.1wherein BL is a binding ligand, A.sub.BL is a receptor specific for binding ligand, A.sub.1 is a receptor, BL is covalently bonded to A.sub.1 and A.sub.BL is reversibly bonded to BL. Generally A.sub.BL is absorbed onto an insoluble surface and A.sub.1 is an antibody to the substance being assayed. The complex has particular utility in coated tube and rechargeable radioimmunoassay systems.